About Denmark

Maps of the world can be drawn in several ways. Generally, area measurement is used and, represented in this way, the Kingdom of Denmark – not counting the Faroe Islands and Greenland - with its 43,000 square kilometres (26,700 sq. miles) is smaller than many of the individual states of the United States.

However, if measured by the share spent on develop- ment assistance, Denmark is placed very high internationally - the country is one of only five in the world that live up to the UN target of granting 0.7 per cent GNI to development assistance.

The same applies if the yardstick is the number of Danish police and military forces sent out on peacemaking and peacekeeping missions. And let’s not forget, that Denmark is leading the transition to a green growth economy.

In most regards however Denmark is usually recognised by its social balance, equality, low levels of corruption and transparency, universal welfare services such as free healthcare, free education, high minimum wages and high levels of unemployment benefits that form the basis of a flexicurity system where the workforce can move from sector to sector with

GEOGRAPHY

Denmark is a Scandinavian/Nordic country and member of the European Union and consists of the peninsula, Jutland, and many islands, most notably Zealand, Funen, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm, as well as hundreds of minor islands and has more than 7.500 km of coastline. The highest point in the country is only 170 metres above sea level. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the realm but enjoy extensive home rule.

FACTS & FIGURES

Name: Kongeriget Danmark - The Kingdom of Denmark

Form of government: Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. Since October 2011, the government has consisted of the Social Democratic Party, the Social Liberal Party and the Socialist People’s Party

Population: 5.6m inhabitants

Population density: Approx. 130 inhabitants per sq. km

Average life expectancy: Men 77.3 years, women 81.6 years

Capital: København (Copenhagen), 1.213.822 inhabitants in the metro- politan area

Major cities: Aarhus 319.094, Odense 168.798, Aalborg 126.556 Language: The official

Currency: Danish krone (DKK)

GDP per capita: 278.000 DKK / 36.646 EUR

Climate: Denmark has a mild and temperate climate. It rains or snows every second day (during the wintertime it snows seven days a month).

National flag: The National flag of Denmark, Dannebrog is red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag. Dannebrog is the oldest flag in the world still in use by an independent nation. According to the legend, Dannebrog was a gift from God and fell from the sky dur- ing a battle in Estonia securing Danish victory.

Coat of arms: The Danish coat of arms consists of three crowned blue lions accompanied by nine red hearts, all in a golden shield.

National anthems: ‘Der er et yndigt land’ (There is a lovely land) is the civil national anthem of Denmark. The other anthem, ‘Kong Christian stod ved højen mast’ (King Christian stood by the lofty mast) is mainly used for royal and military occasions.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

The political system of Denmark is that of a multi-party structure, where several parties can be represented in Parliament at any one time. Danish governments are often characterised by minority administrations, aided with the help of one or more supporting parties. This means that Danish politics is based on consensus politics. Since 1909, no single party has had the majority in Parliament.

Since 3 February 2014, the Government has consisted of the parties 'Socialdemokraterne' (The Social Democrats) and 'Radikale Venstre' (the Danish Social-Liberal Party). Helle Thorning-Schmidt, from the Social Democrats is the Prime Minister.

The Constitutional Act, originally verified in 1849 lays down the framework of Danish democracy. The Act outlines the citizens’ rights or human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, which is intended to protect citizen’s against infringement of their rights by the State.

History

The word ‘Denmark’ dates back to the Viking age and is carved on the famous Jelling Stone from around 900 AD. Today though Denmark is very different from its historical past. Between the 13th and 17th centuries, Denmark was a superpower whose influence was as powerful as that of the largest European countries. Today, the current size and influence of Denmark is the result of 400 years of forced relinquishments of land, surrenders and lost battles. For a small country though, Denmark still punches above its weight in many different areas including design, architecture, farming, green technology and pharmaceuticals.

For more about Denmark you can visit http://www.denmark.dk